Safely Lighting Up the Holidays!

The holidays are everyone’s favorite time of the year. The holiday season gets going with Thanksgiving this week and quickly transitions to getting ready for Christmas. As families come together, there is a good chance that somebody will be climbing into the attic to pull out the lights and decorations. During this time of the year, electrical safety is very important to protect your home and family.

These pretty decorations don’t come without risks, though. Falls, electrocution and even fires are very real possibilities. An average of 770 fires are caused by holiday lights every year, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

Follow these simple tips to safely display your holiday lights:

Beware of missing or broken bulbs. Replace any missing or broken bulbs before plugging them in and stringing up your lights.
Pick the right type of light. Indoor and outdoor lights are similar in appearance and function, but you shouldn’t use them interchangeably. Make sure you are using indoor lights on your tree and other areas inside your house, while using outdoor lights on the outside of your house.
Choose the right cord. Just like with the lights, make sure you are using an extension cord that is rated for outdoors when stringing up lights on the outside of your home. You also should make sure the junction where your light cord and your extension cord meet stays out of puddles or damp soil.
Don’t make your lights a year-round attraction. Many lights, including smart lights, aren’t meant for long-term use. Check the light box for information on how long you can safely leave your lights up.
Don’t plug in too many lights! Too many strings of lights can cause a circuit to blow. Be sure to pay attention to the circuit rating on the label as it will tell you how many stringed lights your circuit can handle.
Don’t put cords through doors or windows. This can pinch your cord, which can fray the insulation around the wires and lead to a nasty shock or fire.
When installing lights outside of your home, never use staples or nails. Always use plastic hooks or simply wrap the lights around the fence, porch or tree.
Turn off lights overnight. Though beautiful and festive, you should turn your lights off for a few hours each day. Timers are a great way to ensure your lights are on-and off- when you want them to be.

This is the most wonderful time of the year and these safety tips will ensure that you and your family have a safe and enjoyable holiday season.